FTSE set to follow US, Asian markets higher

27 March 2018, 06:17

Source - SMW

The FTSE 100 is expected to open around 78 points higher when trading gets underway in London, according to financial spread betting firms.
This follows sharp rises on markets in the US and across Asia as China attempted to appease US concerns about its trade policies by pledging to open up its markets to external companies.
OVERSEAS MARKETS
In the US overnight, the Dow ended 669.4 points higher at 24,202.6, the S&P 500 added 70.29 points to close at 2,658.55 and the Nasdaq rose by 227.88 points at 7,220.54.
In Asia this morning, the Nikkei 225 rose by 2.33%, or 483.41 points, to 21,249.51 heading into the close.
The Hang Seng was up 277.69 points at 30,826.46 and the Shanghai Composite was 30.3 points higher at 3,161.02.
COMMODITIES
West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.4% higher at $65.81 per barrel and Brent crude was up 0.24% at $70.29 per barrel.
Gold was little changed at $1,360.5 per ounce, silver was 0.43% higher and copper was up 1.65%.
CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Trading Statements: United Utilities.
Interim Results: Ferguson, James Halstead, Moss Bros and Orchard Funding Group.
Final Results: Alliance Pharma, AG Barr, Churchill China, Elecosoft, e-Therapeutics and Gulf Marine Services.
ECONOMIC RELEASES
FPC Meeting Minutes.